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These are some of the items found during recent excavations on the route of the N5 Charlestown Bypass.

Archaeology

Overview

Ireland
’s Archaeological heritage is protected by law under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2004. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is responsible for ensuring that our archaeological heritage receives the legal protection afforded to it under the Acts.

The National Monuments Service advises on archaeological matters on behalf of the Minister, particularly in regard to how archaeological heritage is impacted on by development.

The role of archaeological staff working for Mayo County Council is to mitigate against adverse effects of ongoing development within the count Mayo County Council archaeologists have worked, and continue to work, on various schemes throughout the county, monitoring, excavating and recording any archaeological finds present.

The importance of this role is highlighted in the National Heritage Plan, which states that

“In light of their central role in the protection of the archaeological heritage, local authorities should have their own professional expertise available to them”

The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government ‘Statement of Strategy 2005-2007’ states that it will

“seek ways to strengthen the capacity of local authorities to deal with heritage matters, freeing up central government time to focus more on policy guidance activities”.

CountyMayohas a unique archaeological heritage, with an abundance of archaeological sites, ranging in date from the Prehistoric to Post Medieval times. It is important to preserve and protect this rich heritage for future generations.